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CasaEma

4.5 (253 reviews)
ModerateMexican
Closed • 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Updated 1 week ago

CasaEma Photos

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CASAEMA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Hipster
Casual
Trendy
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - CasaEma

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Chilaquiles and pumpkin cream cheese ojo
Holley Janae P.

I've driven by CasaEma a few times and have been daunted by the long line out the door, but I finally decided to give it a try! Even though I waited outside for a few minutes, the line moved pretty quickly and there was a water station outside to keep us cool. CasaEma's menu is simple but has good variety. The majority of options are savory brunch dishes, but there's a pastry counter with rotating sweets. After ordering some brisket chilaquiles at the counter, I scanned the crowded dining room for a seat. The room was pretty packed, but a few spots opened up gradually so no customers are left waiting long. My food arrived fairly quickly, and I dug into my colorful and balanced chilaquiles. I'm not the biggest brunch fan, but CasaEma was tasty and unique!

Jessica Z.

This was my second time but wanted to bring my fiance to try it out. We ordered their popular suadero chilaquiles and mole verde chochoyotes. The flavors are unique and the mole has a strong kick of spice with tangy contrast. I also tried their guava lime donut which was more of a cake donut consistency and a bit sweet for me. I really enjoyed the savory dishes as they have a different profile that makes you want to eat more. The parking can be a hit or miss, usually busier on the weekends so we did street parking which was not hard to find. You basically pay first and and the food is brought to you. The servers are very attentive and will clear your plates as soon as you're done. Overall, a cute brunch spot and would love to try their other pastries in the future!

Mole verde chochoyotes
Ann L.

It was pretty crowded for lunch on a Sunday. They have a small parking lot but you can also find street parking nearby. The line to order was a bit long, extending to the door. However, the line moves fast. After ordering, you can find a table to sit at. There wasn't any space left inside so we opted for a table in the shade. The weather was a little humid but doable.   I tried the suadero chilaquiles which was a popular item on the menu. This was a huge portion. The suadero brisket was good and went well with the flavorful sauce. The tortilla chips had a good crisp to them and didn't end up being too soggy. The papaya salad was refreshing. The papaya itself was sweet and was the perfect balance to the yogurt and granola.   We also tried the mole verde chochoyotes but the heirloom masa dumplings were our least favorite item. There was something missing in the sauce as if it was a bit bland. I also got an iced matcha latte which was decent. Overall, it was a good meal. Will have to come back to try more items on their menu.

Evelyn L.

My friend invited me here for brunch, and I've known this place has been good for a while now. I ordered the mushroom tostada, and I thought it was tasty. However, the line, wait time, and parking situation were awful and honestly ruined the experience for me. I'm not sure I'd come back unless those issues are addressed.

Horchata Berlinesa and Romero Roll
Kaitlyn K.

I love CasaEma!! The interior is so warm, fun, and spacious. There is a cute window where you can see inside the kitchen, and they always have something interesting going on in the kitchen---from corn nixtamalizing to fruits being extracted for their seasonal drinks like Prickly Pear Matcha! You order at the counter---make sure to take a look at the pastry case and choose something to go along with your meal/drink---and then receive a number to take to your table. They have a variety of seating, from window high chairs for solo dining/cafe vibes to long communal tables where you can sit with large parties to individual tables for 4. In terms of drinks, highly recommend the horchata latte (I get it half sweet and the horchata still shines through beautifully). The cinnamon and rice notes complement the coffee so well. Matcha is good, but don't expect the super strong matcha you'd get at a matcha specialized cafe, so I go with the coffee here! The pastries are delicious---try the elote muffin (like thick, more dense and textured cornbread) and the horchata berlinesa (horchata cream filled donut). I have yet to try other baked goods, but they all look so good. In terms of food, I got the pork mole enchiladas. This was my first time having mole enchiladas so I don't have a point of comparison, but the flavors were very rich and presentation beautiful. I would recommend ordering family style, however, so you can get a taste of all the different kinds of dishes they have here. Definitely a must-visit spot when you're in Houston!

Bakery Cake
Michelle B.

Absolutely loved it. Make sure to get there early (8-9ish) on a Sunday morning. The line had started to form. However it was actually quicker than imagined. I went with my sister and there was so many delicious options. We started with the guava cheese empanada. So delicious. The horchata matcha latte didn't have overly much flavor. The iced chai was great. Very cinnamon forward. The French toast was good. A bit sweet. Glad we did that in addition to the chilaquiles. It was nice to go back and forth between sweet and savory. The corn cakes from the bakery selection were tasty. They were great if you like corn. The almond concha was meh. Not worth the cost. I'd rather go down the road for other ones. Overall though very friendly staff. Clean restaurant with quick service. The feel is simply and to the point.

French toast, chilaquiles, cauliflower, enchiladas
Iman Z.

Arrived for some late Sunday brunch around 12:30pm. The line ended right inside the door and it moved fairly quick. The staff was friendly and recommended some great dishes and we decided to eat it family style like the menu suggested. Brioche French Toast: 10/10 One of the best French toast I've had. Not super sweet and the compote adds a level of freshness to the whole dish Chilaquiles: 10/10 A must try! The brisket is moist and tender. Paired with the perfect amount of sauce! Enchiladas: 6/10 I think I'm just not a fan of mole. If you like it then you'll enjoy this plate a lot. We were able to get it with chicken instead of pork and it was a hit with the others at the table. Cauliflower: 8/10 If you need another dish to share, I would recommend this. The cauliflower is soft and the sauce is savory and adds the perfect amount of heat. Chai: 10/10 I can't express how hard it is to find a good dirty chai. The chai is spicy and has an intense flavor that pairs so well with some espresso! I will be coming back for this! We did come in too late to try any of the pastries so if you have your heart set on those the staff mentioned coming in before noon.

Ye J.

I'd heard great things about CasaEma but always hesitated to check it out due to the notorious long line on the weekends and limited parking. Finally made it in for a Friday brunch, with only a few people in line ahead of us. Lucky! The space itself is bright and welcoming. The setup is casual, order at the counter, grab a number and they will bring the food out to your table. The menu concentrates on pastries, coffee and Mexican street food/ inspired brunch items. For drinks, we ordered the horchata matcha and horchata latte, both excellent and well- balanced. For food, we sampled Chicharron, carrot taco, Suadero Chilaquiles, and chori-papa skillet. Everything was delicious, and the tortillas tasted homemade and incredibly fresh. My favorites were the carrot taco and the chilaquiles, both phenomenal! We couldn't leave without something sweet, so we shared the French toast as dessert and grabbed couple pastries for later. The pastries had a unique corn flavor and a denser texture which I really enjoyed. Overall, it's hard to go wrong here. Everything we tried was good. The only real drawbacks are the parking and weekend lines. Otherwise, I'd be here a lot more often.

suadero chilaquiles, mango matcha, horchata matcha, and mushroom tetela
Ro R.

We really enjoyed our visit here and I'd love to come back and try more of their menu! I like that there's multiple vegetarian options. It was also very affordable. The employees were very friendly and helpful. There's indoor and outdoor seating. I got lucky to get a parking spot in the front, but as others mentioned you will likely have to park on the street during peak times like the weekend.

Andrea C.

so yum!! i got the carrot taco, mazapan latte, and guava donut :-) my friend got the cajeta roll, chilaquiles, and horchata latte. While we had to wait a little to enter, the food and presentation was worth the wait. the staff is very calm despite how busy they get! i would come back for the sweets & to try other veggie options :) parking does have limited spots, but most people parked across the street

horchata berlinesa
Joyce J.

MUST-TRY. We came on a Friday around 11:30 AM. We did have to wait in line, but it wasn't so bad, maybe about 20 min wait. My favorite was the sandwich, it's a must try, and maybe ask for 2 green sauces if you like a saucy sandwich. The French toast was full of flavor, and I liked the middle part more than the crust. Horchata donut is a must try, and for the drinks, while the horchata latte is what most people order, I actually liked the chai better! So depending on your taste buds, go for whichever you like better! Service was prompt. Def worth it to be on Michelin guide.

French Toast, Pambazo with chicken, mushroom tostada
Rosha C.

I'm going on a food tour this month since I'm moving soon, and Casaema was a must return for me. I love this place, I bring everyone I know here and it's my favorite brunch place ever. I ordered my favorite dish (Pambazo de Puerco, sub chicken) and also tried their peach danish. My friend got her favorite Mushroom Tetela and Romero Roll. Absolutely delicious and pro tip, whatever you order, try to get a side of the pambazo sauce. It is a green salsa with chunks of avocado in it, just incredible. Their Michelin recognition is well deserved, and I will return here every time I visit Houston. Love y'all!!

Esther C.

Horchata latte was soo good that we went back and ordered a matcha horchata latte! The cornbread donut was surprisingly moist and not too sweet. All the flavors in the chilaquiles went well together and it was such a satisfying brunch! definitely recommend!

Mushroom tostada

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CasaEma Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - CasaEma

Is the noise level loud and I can't take my elderly Aunties who are hard of hearing?

No, it's not loud even when crowded. They also have patio seating.

Do they take reservations for lunch?

I don't think so! You order at the counter and find a seat afterwards.

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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Steak

The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

3.9(2.3k reviews)
4.2 mi•Warehouse District, Second Ward
•$$
Private events
Catering service

First time in Houston, and I kept seeing people online say Ninfa's is overrated. But every local I…read moreasked told me to go, so I went. Glad I did. Service was great. Our server was super friendly and kept things moving. Free chips and salsa to start. The chips came out warm and crunchy, with a red and a green salsa. Easy way to kick off the meal. I got the enchiladas suizas. Packed with chicken and cheese, and the salsa verde on top gave it a nice bit of tang that kept it from feeling heavy. Solid Tex-Mex. Didn't disappoint.

FAJITAS 7. As a native Houstonian, I was 10 when Ninfa's opened (1973). Growing up, we ate there…read moreseveral times each month. We'd rotate with Los Tios or Chinese every Friday or Saturday. As there is not a location near me any longer, we traveled to the original location. It was bustling with an attentive waitstaff and lots of people watching. Complementary valet (of course we tip) is a great benefit as parking is slim. Our waitress was Kady. She's been there for 50 years! Talk about an original. She was attentive to our needs but all business. We started with guacamole and queso. Guac was a huge portion with all the add ins. Queso was delish and served with fried flour tortillas (my fav). The gratis green dip, red sauce, and thick, crisp chips were on par. The fajitas. Just so so. Honestly, it reminded me of Taco Cabana. Very disappointing. Very little flavor and tough. The rice was yucky, the refried beans were the worst! Reminded us of the frito lay bean dip in a can. Even the Borracho beans were bad. HEB's in the can are far better. We received 2 corn and 2 flour tortillas. Fajitas served with pico, guac, sour-sour cream (I didn't even like that). Iced tea was fair. All in all, Fajitas very disappointing. If we had not been on the best fajita quest, I most likely would have ordered the chicken caldo soup. That never disappoints.

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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Decor

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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation - Combo Fajitas - Large

Combo Fajitas - Large

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Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Barbacoa and Carnita Taco

Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina

4.2(297 reviews)
4.0 mi•Midtown, Fourth Ward, Montrose
•$$

I went for dinner time. It's a cute intimate setting. Perfect for date night or girls night. The…read morefood was delicious. I ordered the Barbacoa tacos on heirloom corn tortillas. For drinks I ordered a hibiscus margarita... it was so good with the perfect amount of sweetness. Presentation and service were great. Highly recommend to give this place a try

We visited Madera's for the first time recently and overall had a great first impression. The…read moreserver was attentive when needed but didn't hover or rush us. For drinks, my husband and our friends tried some of the margaritas from their large and unique margaritas menu, as well as their hibiscus agua fresca. All of the drinks were very pretty and it seemed like everyone enjoyed them, too! We started with their chips and salsa trio, which we all really liked. The chips were on the thicker side, but were crispy and not stale or chewy at all. Each of the salsas were quite different, and two were served warm, which we really liked! For the price, I'd consider getting the chips and salsa as a non-negotiable, honestly. For entrees, we tried the enchilada rojas, chilaquiles verde w/ chicken and beef, birria barbacoa ramen, and huaraches. My husband felt like his ramen could have included more meat, but aside from that everyone really enjoyed what they ordered. The highlight was probably the desserts, though! We got a quatro leches and two ordered of their giant and amazing churros. Both were incredibly tasty and reason enough to return for another visit in the future!

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Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Right side entry

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Maderas - Kitchen & Cantina - Rice & Beans

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Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose - Brunch tacos

Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose

4.2(694 reviews)
3.3 mi•Montrose, River Oaks
•$$$

The world is full of Mexican restaurants…read more Most are some version of Tex-Mex in a family-friendly, relatively similar environment. Nothing wrong with that. Mexican Sugar breaks that mold completely. This is the most legit, wonderful, bougie, over-the-top Mexican restaurant I have ever been to, and I mean that as the highest compliment possible. This was my second trip to Mexican Sugar. The first was in Grapevine. After this visit to the Montrose location, I have officially decided that when I am in Texas, I will seek these places out. They are that good. First, dress up. I doubt there is an actual dress code, but this is not the place where I am showing up looking like I just finished mowing the yard. Come here to be seen. Come here to show out a little. The place is beautiful and has that kind of vibe. Second, the drinks. Hell yes. Fancy, creative, excellent, and impressive enough for even the person who has seen every ridiculous cocktail presentation imaginable. And then there is the food. My God, the food. The salsa and queso are legit AF. The street corn is heaven in a bowl. Get several orders. I am serious. One is not enough. The carne asada was amazing. Honestly, I could keep going, but at some point this review is just going to become me yelling about how much I love Mexican Sugar. I LOVE MEXICAN SUGAR. OK, YOU GET THE IDEA. WHY AM I YELLING? BACK TO THE REVIEW.... Service was excellent too. The place is huge and was absolutely packed, but our server stayed attentive and the food came out surprisingly quickly. Make a reservation. Park in the nearby garage. Dress nice. Order the drinks. Get the street corn. Then get more street corn. Who is ready for another trip to Houston? I'll book the reservation at Mexican Sugar.

This was my second time at Mexican Sugar and I loved it just as much as the first! Johnny was our…read morewaiter and he was phenomenal, super attentive and even refilled my drink several times without me having to ask. Sonia was also incredibly sweet. My daughter dropped some food and made a bit of a mess, and Sonia was so kind about it and cleaned everything up without making us feel uncomfortable at all. The food was amazing. I highly recommend the steak and eggs and the pancakes, both were delicious. Great food, amazing service, and another wonderful experience. We'll definitely be back!

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Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose - Machete Margarita

Machete Margarita

Mexican Sugar Houston Montrose - Arepas

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Maximo - Tostada

Maximo

4.6(178 reviews)
6.6 mi•West University
•$$$

Maximo looks like someone invited the desert inside and poured it a drink. The room is colorful,…read morewarm, and genuinely inviting--pots of cactus, cowboy paintings, and Mexican art. At brunch, the papas bravas come as small cubes of fried potato with an airy crunch that gives way to a soft, pillowy center - the kind of deeply satisfying bite that makes conversation briefly irrelevant. Crisp prosciutto adds salt, aioli brings richness, and smoky chile sauce keeps it lively. They're served with cactus-handled toothpicks, which are almost offensively adorable. The chilaquiles divorciados are another hit. The chips are dressed with salsa rather than drowned beneath it, so each one arrives ready for the perfect bite. It's a small distinction, but an important one. Then there are the enfrijoladas: rolled quesadillas in fluffy tortillas, covered in creamy black bean sauce and plated with more care than bean and cheese might seem to warrant. The dish is fundamentally simple, but that's the point. Soft tortilla, savory beans, melted cheese, bright salsa. Familiar ingredients transformed into something deeply comforting--the culinary equivalent of curling up beneath a warm blanket on a cold morning, even if Houston rarely provides one. Dinner shifts into another gear. The crudos are sensational, especially the tuna tiradito - a rolling wave of flavor and texture. The tacos are excellent across the board, but the crispy maitake mushrooms are unmatched. The short ribs arrive juicy and tender on a mole negro that doesn't sit politely in the background. It lands dark, complex, and full of flavor. And then there's the masa cornbread, a masterpiece of unapologetic indulgence. Humble cornbread meets savory-sweet mole, smoky, earthy butter, and caviar. It sounds like too much. It isn't. Every element earns its place. The cocktails deserve their own warning. They're the kind that convince you to keep ordering the same drink all night. By the end, you may have forgotten what was in it. What you'll remember is that it was refreshing, perfectly balanced, and exactly what you needed. Maximo makes ambitious food feel generous rather than fussy. Come hungry.

Honestly I am fairly disappointed in this place as I had been anticipating it for the longest time…read more I was able to snag reservations about 1 month in advance for a Saturday dinner. The restaurant is located in a quiet area in West University with a good amount of street parking. The restaurant itself is decorated with a lot of character and personality and they have seating inside and outside on their covered patio. Don't get me wrong, the service here is amazing. The servers are very attentive, and I appreciate the chefs coming out to explain their dish. However, the dishes themselves were basic and lacked specialty. My boyfriend and I got the Chef's Tasting Menu. I got the drink pairing. As a Chef's tasting menu, I would expect the restaurants' most precious meals. The short rib was dry and the rest of the other dishes were unmemorable. The only dish that truly caught my eye was their Tres Leches, but this was given on the house as it was our anniversary. The drink pairing I got was well worth and all of the drinks were flavorful and paired well. Overall, I'd hope that their chef's tasting menu would improve as they rotate their dishes. I would try to come back to give it another chance.

Photos
Maximo
Maximo - Tres Leches

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Maximo - Paloma Coconut Punch & a classic Margarita.

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CasaEma - mexican - Updated October 2026

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